Mechanochemical Activation of Precursor Powders for the Preparation of Dense Al2O3–ZrO2〈Y2O3〉 Nanoceramics

— A process has been demonstrated for the preparation of precursor powders and nanocrystalline (60–90 nm) alumina-based ceramics in the Al 2 O 3 –ZrO 2 〈Y 2 O 3 〉 system. We have studied the influence of mechanochemical activation (MA) on the structure and particle size of precursor powders and found the most effective MA time. MA has been shown to lower the α-Al 2 O 3 formation temperature and accelerate the powder sintering process. We have optimized powder consolidation conditions for the fabrication of dense nanoceramics and studied their physicochemical and mechanical properties.